Magnetic slate



March 18, 1952 .E. N. BURNETT 2,589,601

MAGNETIC SLATE Filed Sept. 26, 1950 INVENTOR. Edward /V. Burner) BY Patented Mar. 18, 1952 UNITED ESTATES PATENT OFFICE 2,589,601 MAGNETIC SLATE iEdwardiN; Burnett, San Lorenzo, Calif. Application September 26, 1950, Serial No. 186,861 3 Claims. (01. 35-66) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in magnetic slates. More particularly, the invention relates to a slate upon which erasable symbols may be made by use of a magnet.

The invention is particularly. useful as a novelty or toy in that it does not require the use of chalk, crayon, or pencil, which implements children frequently misuse to mark walls, furniture, woodwork, etc. about the home. Further, the magnet used with the slate as well as the slate itself are entirely safe and do not contain any sharp points or corners, are sanitary, and cannot readily be swallowed by an infant.

The device has desirable features in that the use of the slate teaches scientific principles of magnetism and is highly entertaining in that such principles are outside the general experience of children. Additionally, it has all of the entertainment features of conventional slates used with chalk.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of the slate which is the subject of the invention, the same being partially broken away in section.

Fig. 2 is a perspective of a magnetic pencil, partially broken away in section.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating the formation of symbols by reason of magnetic pellets being raised above contrasting non-magnetic pellets.

The instant invention comprises a slate I which may be of any desired shape, but as shown in the accompanying drawings is square. It will be understood that a rectangular, round, oval, or other shape might be employed. The top surface I I of the slate is a transparent sheet of plastic material, glass, or the like embedded in a frame, said frame being preferable in the shape of a shallow box having a bottom I2 and sides I3. It will be understood that the top surface I I and the sides I3 are sealed together so that no moisture may enter and the pellets inside the box cannot escape therefrom. The transparent top II is spaced from the bottom I2. Bottom I2, sides I3 and top I I are all formed of nonmagnetic material, preferable molded plastic. Within the box is a plurality of small pellets I6 of magnetic material such as steel shot. Suffi cient pellets I 6 are placed in the box so that when the box is level a layer of pellets I-6completely covers the bottom I2. Overlying the magnetic pellets I6 is a layer of non-magnetic pellets or circular disks I 1. Non-magnetic elements I! which may be, for example, pearl barley are of a diameter larger, and of a density less, than the magnetic pellets I6 on the bottom of the box. Spherical or fiat disc plastic pellets may be employed.

When the box is gently shaken, the heavier magnetic pellets I6 are covered by the non-magnetic pellets I'I, there thus being two contiguous layers of the same dimensions as the bottom I2. The magnetic pellets H; are preferable of a color contrasting with the color of the non-magnetic pellets I1. For example, the magnetic pellets I6 may be black and the non-magnetic pellets I'I may be white. When observed through the transparent cover II before any markings are made, the entire bottom of the box appears to be white.

In order to mark the slate, a magnetic pencil 20 is used, said pencil comprising a bar magnet 2I embedded in one end of non-magnetic handle 22 so that one pole of the bar magnet 2| is exposed at one end of pencil 20. The user draws the magnet ZI over the transparent top I I of the slate I0, thereby attracting the magnetic pellets I6 immediately below so that the path of pencil 20 is marked by reason of pellets I6 being raised up above the level of the layer of non-magnetic pellets I I. Because of the contrasting color oi pellets I6 and I1 marks corresponding to the movement of the magnet over the surface of the slate appear through transparent top II. See Fig. 3. I

When it is desired to erase the markings, slate I0 is held level and gently shaken, thus causing all the non-magnetic pellets I1 to rise above the surface of the magnetic pellets I6.

It will be understood that a stencil 30 (see Fig. 3) may be placed over transparent top II and the pencil 20 used to trace the markings on said stencil. The magnetic pellets I6 will be drawn upward to reproduce said markings of stencil 30. Preferably stencil 30 is dimensioned to fit top I I.

The depth of sides I3, weight of pellets I6 and strength of magnet 2| are selected such that the path of magnet 2| is accurately traced. For example, it has been found satisfactory to employ steel shot pellets I6 approximately inch in diameter, pearl barley pellets I'I approximately inch in diameter or flat plastic discs inch to inch in diameter, sides 7 inch deep, and a common bar magnet ll of a diameter of inch 3 and length of 2 inches. Clearance between the underside of top H and the top of layer of pelexample for purposes of clarity ofunderstanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be made within the spirit of the invention and scope of the claims appended hereto. r

I claim:

1. A magnetic slate comprising a shallow, flatbottomed, non-magnetic box, a flat surfaced, nonmagnetic, transparent coverior said box, a plurality of small, dense, magnetic particles sufficient in number substantially to cover the bottom of said box in a single layer, and a plurality of light, non-magnetic particles of a color contrasting with said magnetic particles sufiicient in number substantially to cover in a single layer said layer of magnetic particles.

2. In combination a slate as defined in claim '1 and a magnetic pencil, said pencil including a magnet.

3. In combination a slate as defined in claim 1 and a magnetic pencil, said pencil including a magnet, and a non-magnetic handle in which said magnet is embedded.

EDWARD N. BURNETT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 74,815 Funston Feb. 25, 1868 417,931 Miatt Dec. 24, 1889 611,545 Yarnall Sept. 27, 1898 1,074,533 Schowalter Sept. 30, 1913 1,549,197 Hanback Aug. 11, 1925 1,595,801 McDonald Aug. 10, 1926 2,408,141 Heil Sept. 24, 1946 2,530,013 Hanback Nov. 15, 1950 

